2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 (NLT)
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Reflection
Human nature dictates we like to cover up our weaknesses or wish that they would disappear. Paul even asked God three times to take away the troublesome thorn in his flesh. Instead of removing the thorn, God reminded Paul that His grace was what he really needed. God’s power works best in our weaknesses because these are the moments when we recognize our need for Him. No matter what they are, our weaknesses keep us from becoming self-sufficient and self-reliant, so that the power of Christ can work through us. And because God’s power works in our lives, we can look to God and, in turn, boast about our weaknesses, rather than cover them up. For when we are weak, we are made strong. How good it is to trust in the power of God! We can fully believe that God’s grace is all that we need.
Responding to the Transmitted Message
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” May we go deeper in believing and living out this truth. Let’s take a moment to recognize our weaknesses and our need for God. Let’s call out to God in prayer and believe that His grace is sufficient for us. Trusting that God’s power is at work in our lives, let’s ask for greater humility and dependency upon Him in our lives.
